It’s October and winter is on its way. Susan Keranen is excited because she loves to downhill ski with her family. She loves to cook, bake and read, too. However, what she is really passionate about is helping those with dyslexia, a reading disorder with a wide spectrum of characteristics that presents itself in difficulty spelling, reading and writing words.
The dyslexia specialist position for St. Cloud Area School District stemmed from input from parents, teachers and school board members who recognized the need. St. Cloud is actually ahead of the curve as the first district in the state of Minnesota to employ a dyslexia specialist.
One of the reasons Keranen is so passionate about dyslexia is because several members of her own family have dyslexia.
“We embrace dyslexia in my house,” she says. “My husband is dyslexic and three of my five kids are dyslexic. We have a wide range — with one child being extremely dyslexic, one with mild dyslexia and one in between.”
It was a relief once they, as a family, discovered dyslexia in the household. Keranen then realized that dyslexia was the reason her children were challenged.
Already a special education teacher with years of experience, Keranen took it upon herself to learn more about dyslexia and completed a course to become a qualified consultant and screener of dyslexia. Since then, she’s worked with dyslexic children at other school districts.
Now, with District 742, she works with Tier 2 (small group) and Tier 3 (intensive) intervention. Keranen screens students for dyslexia, gives family support, helps staff with understanding and awareness, and trains staff with teaching skills for dyslexic students. She also does research to create a framework to implement districtwide.
October is Dyslexia Awareness Month and the perfect reminder that there are those who struggle. Up to 20 percent of Americans have symptoms of dyslexia, and the disability is linked to genetics.
According to Keranen, embracing dyslexia is the first step to helping those with spelling, writing, and reading, and she is on the front line to ensure that happens.
I Am a dyslexia specialist. I Am an advocate. I Am 742.
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